Saddam Splits Power Between Sons in Emergency Deal

National Journal, Radio Free Europe & Al Zaman Newspaper ^ | 11/17/2001 | The Hotline Newsletter-Weekend Scoop

[codebreaker]

Radio Free Europe reports that the London- based Al Zaman reported 11/16, Saddam Hussein held a meeting 11/14 with "his two sons" and top officials "to put into place the mechanism for Saddam's succession, particularly in the case of emergency."

Al Zaman "sources ruled out the possibility" of Hussein stepping down, but they said, "He is concerned about the posssibility he may be targeted in a military operation."

The sources say Hussein "has put in place a contingency plan" splitting Iraq's leadersip "between his two sons" and his deputy.

[codebreaker]

We're coming soon, boys.... with the Turks in tow -I believe they meant the dates for this week and it was a typo. (since this is todays update)

[Humidston]

HA HA HA!! Ok. Fine. So now we'll go after him, his two sons AND his deputy. The more the merrier!

[AngrySpud]

" ... splitting Iraq's leadership ... "

Seems to me that having 3+ persons share the leadership responsibilities is a tacit admission of internal divisions.

[Fiddlstix]

Bump

[Nitro]

[NetValue]

Saddam should have the opportunity to see his sons die.

[cantfindagoodscreenname]

I went out on a limb yesterday and asked a dumb question on another thread ("What is an Arab?"). Since I didn't get raked over the coals, I'll ask another dumb question. What do the Iraquis think of Saddam Hussein? Is he as unpopular as the Taliban or does he have a big following in his own country? If (when?) we go in there, will the people be as happy to see us as the Afghan people were?

Thanks!

Candi

[TomGuy]

Romulus and Remus. Wonder which will assassinate the other first? One is insane and the other is just crazy. One shot and killed his x-wife's boyfriend just a couple of days ago, and he has offered a $500 reward for the return of his "pet" falcon which escaped recently.

[Fulbright]

This will probably be another Cain and Abel story, as is the case with most two brother combinations.

[rickmoe]

SAUDI ARABIA is who we should be getting ready attack.

[Grampa Dave]

Typical coward behavior on Saddam's part.

He loves to create and establish targets besides himself.

Now he has painted his sons with his target brush!

Just kill the Daddy Snake first, and then the baby vipers!

Saddam must feel that he and his gang of murdering terrorist thugs are next on the GW dance card. He would never do this unless he knows that a "Candy Gram" from GW is being ordered!

[AmericaUnited]

Mr. Cocky is getting nervous now that he knows that stupid, liberal, Demonrat, "We can't kill the bad guys" law has been repealed.

[okie01]

"This will probably be another Cain and Abel story, as is the case with most two brother combinations."

Except that both of these guys are Cain...

[AmishDude]

It's impossible to say how much support Saddam has. There are always pro-Saddam demonstrations in the country, but he runs an old-fashioned tinhorn dictatorship, so these are obviously staged.

As in most ME countries, there are severe ethnic divisions. The Kurds, for example, hate Saddam's guts.

The bottom line is: If the US topples a dictatorship without destroying the country, the people will be grateful and supportive. They respect strength and victory and will join whatever faction seems to be in power.

[nicmarlo]

Seems to me that having 3+ persons share the leadership responsibilities is a tacit admission of internal divisions.

Actually, what I was thinking, it's more of an admission that Sadam is expecting to be a military target because he's guilty of helping ben Laden. Our government probably has evidence of this (and Sadam knows this to be the case) and will release this information in time, prior to the strike against Sadam, of course.

[Ditto]

Is he as unpopular as the Taliban or does he have a big following in his own country?

The only thing bigger in Iraq than hatred for Saddam is the justified fear people have of him. He is one brutal SOB and has not only killed anyone who ever crossed him, but has taken out their families and friends also. This guy is in the same class as Stalin as far as internal oppression.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Except that both of these guys are Cain...

And not very Able, either, from what I understand...

;0)

[pubmom]

That's a keeper!

[moodyskeptic]

Does Saddam actually think that his hateful deranged sons are not ALREADY on the same hit list as himself?

How stupid is this guy?

[Scott from the Left Coast]

Saddam Hussein held a meeting 11/14 with "his two sons" and top officials "to put into place the mechanism for Saddam's succession, particularly in the case of emergency."

Well now, Saddam's lawyer finally prevailed upon him to get that will done. Wonder if he counts the meeting time as billable hours?